Whenever Williams can find time outside of school, homework and football practice, the Birmingham Groves senior unplugs by plugging into his Xbox with NFL 2K or Madden.

"I've got an undefeated record," Williams said with a smile. "You can say that too. You might want to challenge me. I've got Xbox Live, if anyone wants to challenge me."

As challenging as Williams may be on the virtual gridiron, where he is likely tearing things up with his favorite player Reggie Bush, he is busy putting up video game-like numbers on the real football field as the Groves Falcons' star running back.

The 5-foot-10, 160 pound speedster is incredibly difficult to stop once he gets loose. Williams has compiled his 1,340 rushing yards on just 110 carries - averaging an astonishing 12.18 yards per carry. He's made it into the endzone 16 times on the ground and once on a reception while averaging 28.2 yards per punt return and a touchdown.

"I've known Ross for a while, since elementary school," said friend and senior teammate Bradley Taylor. "Every time I see him get the ball, he's looking for touchdowns every time. He always likes to make plays."

His numbers would be even higher if Groves wasn't blowing out many of its opponents this year, giving the option for the Groves coaching staff to sit Williams for an entire second half.

Ross Williams has been an impact player every facet of the game for the Birmingham Groves football team this season. (Courtesy photo)

Even then, Williams can't stand being off of the field, thus getting inserted into the game as a defensive back when Groves can afford to. Even then, he excels.

“He’s a competitor,” Groves coach Brendan Flaherty said. “He’s a bulldog competitor … I think he’s a great running back but I think he’s a better defensive back. We just need him to play running back. He’ll play defense in nickel situations and pressure situations.”

It is no surprise that Williams’ impressive season is also a part of an impressive turnaround for Groves, which is 7-2 this season after going 2-7 just a year ago.

Ross Williams bio

About Williams: Eats McDonalds at lunch on gameday and loves BBQ chicken pizza from Jets, listens to a lot of Drake.

“Every time Ross is on the field, the level of the team rises,” senior tight end Spencer Robnett said. “A player like Ross, just one person, can change the whole outcome of the competition.”

Williams’ best game came against Auburn Hills Avondale when he recorded 248 rushing yards and four touchdowns on just 16 carries.

Other notable performances include when Williams ran for 245 yards and three scores against Bloomfield Hills. He also had 220 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Royal Oak. Against North Farmington, he rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns in one half of action.

“He can take on a player twice his size,” Groves defensive backs coach Art Aeamey said, who has watched Williams develop as an athlete since second grade. “He has no fear. The way he moves in traffic is impressive and it is because of his real strong competitive nature.”

Of course, it all starts with the speed. Williams' long strides and pure speed are something that can't be taught on the football field. Perhaps that is why it is no surprise that he is also a state champion hurdler. Winning the Division 1 300-meter hurdles title last year in 37.96, seconds and finishing runner up in the 110-meter hurdles at 14.41 seconds, Williams’ speed is no joke.

Coached in his youth by his father, Tryone – who once captained the Michigan State track and field team – the source of Williams’ speed is no secret.

“I thought he would be more of a track person,” Tryone said, while looking back on his son’s youth. “I knew he had great track talent. He had a summer where he competed in AAU nationals and was one of the to two or three hurdlers for his age group in the nation.”

Because of his size, Williams has gotten a lot of looks from NCAA Division II schools and a few MAC schools. Holding an offer from Akron for football, Williams is also getting looks from Big Ten schools, including Michigan and Michigan State, to be a track and field athlete.

As far as Williams is concerned, he wouldn’t mind doing both sports in college.

“I could see myself doing (both),” he said. “Track really helps my speed on the football field.”

Surprisingly, Williams was just playing baseball and running track for most of his childhood, not giving football a try until he was in seventh grade when another parent suggested it.

Joining the Birmingham Patriots, Williams had a very successful year and was instantly hooked.

“I just wanted to win,” he said. “I just wanted to do anything to win for my team.”

Heading into his final season as a high school football player for Groves this fall, Williams continued to put the pressure on himself, leaving no room for error in his game.

“I told myself that I had to be one of the best people on the team and one of the best players on the field,” he said. “I worked really hard this summer, in the offseason, to get better and prove my speed, quickness and strength.”

Being a devout track athlete his entire life, Williams’ has always a very self-motivated individual, always looking to look internally for his motivation and perfect his skills. Through football however, Williams began to find a new source of motivation: His teammates.

Williams’ efforts did not go unnoticed.

“He was always a great football player,” Flaherty said. “He’s been a great football player since he was in seventh grade playing for our youth program, the Birmingham Patriots. I think what made a difference this year was, to make him even more a notch above, is his practice habits.

“He really committed to his teammates and coaches. Up at camp, he pledged that this was the most important thing to him. He wasn’t going to let anyone down and going to always give his best, always.”

It is a commitment that Williams does not take lightly.

“They make sure I go 100-percent every time,” Williams said. “That’s what I’ve got to do to lead the team, give 100-percent. If I give 100-percent, everybody can give 100-percent. They see me going 100-percent, maybe they think they should go 100-percent.

“I love the family environment. It’s fun to play with this team. It’s been one of my favorite sports since I was a little kid. This is what I do. It’s exciting to play in every game.”